Each LSU RB will get ‘fair share of carries’

Posted by Brent Sobleski on August 12, 2014, 8:27 PM EDT

LSU running back Terrence Magee could be bitter. As a senior, this should be his season to shine as the feature runner in the Tigers’ offense. Yet, freshman Leonard Fournette is the running back generating all the buzz around the program.

Magee may not be the team’s starter this season, but he sees the value of having a strong stable of running backs.

“It’s always been running back-by-committee at LSU,” Magee told ESPN.com’s Alex Scarborough. “Everyone is going to get their fair share of carries. But at the same time, everyone in our backfield are team-oriented guys. Whatever is in the best interest of the team, that’s what I’m willing to do. If that means me taking 15 carries or taking five carries, then I’m for it.”

Magee actually fed the hype machine which surrounds Fournette by comparing the nation’s No. 1 running back recruit to former Oklahoma great Adrian Peterson.

“I honestly don’t think I’m putting too much on him,” Magee said. “I truly feel that he can do it. He’s proven himself in high school, and in a few more weeks everyone will get to see what he can do on the college level.”

“I think that’s an advantage,” LSU head coach Les Miles said. “If you look at Terrence Magee, we’ve gotten them tired. There have been times when he just busted a big run, took significant contact. Kenny Hilliard had just played. In fact, we will need those guys that have fresh legs. I think you can always kind of count on that from us.”

Comparing Fournette to Peterson is tough. Peterson was made better by having a Heisman winning QB behind him. LSU doesn’t have a QB of that caliber right now to take that kind of pressure off of Fournette.

But if he can get match Peterson’s freshman year, he should be the first true freshman to win the Heisman.

southernpatriots says:Aug 13, 2014 8:26 AM

No need to put that kind of attention/pressure on Leonard. He is who he is and can do extremely well for LSU in due time. He may well perform extraordinarily, but no need to make comparisons. His actual work/performance will eventually speak for itself.

Peterson was quite unique and extraordinary in a unique situation that Fournette is not in at LSU. The running QBs and receiving corps, along with other really good RBs, which will start the first game or few will take much pressure off Leonard until he is ready. Cam Cameron will not put pressure on him to handle the majority of the rushes for some games with the experienced really good RBs ahead of him for now.